ἄῤῥαφος
árrhaphos
G729 predicate adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
Not sewn together, consisting of a single continuous piece of fabric. Used specifically to describe a garment or cloth that is made as an integral whole, with no stitching joining separate parts. The word carries the sense of something woven or formed without joining by thread or seam, most commonly used to describe clothing manufactured as one piece.
Semantic Range
not sewn, seamless, made in one piece, without seam, undivided garment
Root / Etymology
Formed from the privative prefix ἀ- (not, without) and a derivative of ῥαφ- (sewing, seam), related to ῥαφίς (needle) and ῥάπτω (to sew), thus 'not sewn.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
This rare adjective appears in Koine Greek, primarily in literary or descriptive contexts, and is used in John 19:23 regarding the tunic (χιτών) of Jesus, describing it as woven in one piece, 'without seam.' In classical Greek, garments might be 'seamless' if woven on a loom in a single piece, as opposed to being assembled from separate panels seamed together. The use in the New Testament highlights craftsmanship and value, as such garments were considered unusual and of higher quality. English translations typically render ἄῤῥαφος as 'without seam' or 'seamless,' which accurately represents the literal meaning but may not fully convey the cultural significance of such garments in the period. The term is not used with broader metaphorical senses in surviving sources.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from Α (as a negative particle) and a presumed derivative of the same as ῥαφίς; unsewed, i.e. of a single piece:--without seam.
Root Family
ἄῤῥαφος (arrhaphos) — not sewn, seamless, made in one piece, without seam
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G729-01 |
ἄραφος | araphos | ADJ.P NOM M SG |
without seam | seamless | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G729-01 |
John 19:23 | ἄραφος | araphos | ADJ.P NOM M SG |
without seam | seamless |